I have lived in Manhattan for 41 years and had never been to the Wamego fireworks. I’ve been invited to go with the Homestead group every year and have missed out. I agreed to go last night even though I dreaded the heat and crowds.
It was all worth it.
We met at Deb’s and had burgers and brats. It was the two current Homestead girls (I got to know one better and she is a lot of fun), our current intern (also got to know her a bit), Deb, Erica (current House Manager) and I.
We left for the parade at about 5:15. We parked in a fun neighborhood with cute older houses to look at as we strolled to find a spot to watch the parade. We found the perfect, shaded spot with a terraced wall to sit on.
After the parade, we walked more through the neighborhoods to main street and the city park and fair. On the way, we grabbed a photo with the Oz crew.
The parade was very fun. Tractors and big construction equipment, police and fire trucks, old cars, motorcycles, horses, candy, fun fun fun.
City park was very crowded. We played a little in the splash park and checked out the new water park and looked for a short line for a funnel cake to share, unsuccessfully. Walked back to the van and to Deb’s for a bathroom break and then back out to the crowds.
We parked at the football stadium and shuttled to the soccer field to watch fireworks. We grabbed a perfect spot with no one in front of us. A shortish wait and the fireworks started.
I haven’t seen many firework displays lately, none in the last 10 years. Before that, it was mostly at Lake Wabaunsee. I do remember some good ones in my home town, at Fort Leavenworth over the lake on post, some in Gardner KS where my Mom’s friends lived, some here in Manhattan when the kids were babies.
This one was everything that it was made out to be. I laid on my back with the whole display in front of me and over my head, filling the entire sky. It was choreographed, tons happening all at once, lots of movement and color and shape and sounds. My eyes and ears, all of my senses where fully engaged trying to take it all in. There wasn’t even time for the oo’s and aww’s you normally hear, more like gasps and “I can’t believe it’s.” Ashes fell all over us. I tried to take a few pics and vidoes and gave up. It was too beautiful to capture. Just as I began to feel overwhelmed, it crescendoed and ended.
There were a few hiccups in the day, my bra malfunction that I fixed with laffy taffy (yes I did) and thinking we lost the keys to the van for about half an hour, and the two hour lines to get home, but it all added to the day without taking anything away. It wasn’t hot at all in the shade. I actually appreciated the crowd since it signaled the stupid pandemic ended.
This topped off a great weekend with a much needed and enjoyed Friday night date night, and a peaceful family day at the Lake on Saturday.
Independence Day 2021 is in the books.
dianegclark 